JP6131841B2 - Developer cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a developing cartridge that is mounted on an image forming apparatus that employs an electrophotographic system is known.

  The developing cartridge includes, for example, a frame, a developing roller and a supply roller supported by the frame, and a drive unit that is disposed on the left side of the frame and transmits a driving force to the developing roller and the supply roller. It has a developing roller support groove that supports the left and right ends of the roller (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In order to assemble such a developing cartridge, for example, a jig is inserted into the developing roller support groove to restrict the movement of the frame, and then the supply roller is assembled to the frame, and the jig is detached from the developing roller support groove. Then, the developing roller and the drive unit are sequentially assembled to the frame.

JP 2011-133758 A

  That is, in the developing cartridge assembly process described in Patent Document 1, the developing roller support groove cannot be used to restrict the movement of the frame after the developing roller is assembled to the frame. Therefore, the assembling work of the developing cartridge may be unstable and complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a developing cartridge capable of facilitating assembly work.

(1) In order to achieve the above-described object, the developing cartridge of the present invention includes a housing configured to contain the developer and a developer that is rotatable and supports the developer. A carrier, a drive mechanism configured to transmit a driving force to the developer carrier, and a regulation unit configured to regulate movement of the housing when engaged with an external member. ing.

  The housing has a first side wall and a second side wall facing the first side wall at a distance in the first direction in which the rotation axis of the developer carrier extends. The drive mechanism is disposed adjacent to the second side wall opposite to the first side wall. The restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the first side wall opposite to the second side wall, and has a pair of first protrusions facing each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with a space therebetween.

  According to such a configuration, since the restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the first side wall opposite to the second side wall, the pair of first protrusions included in the restricting portion is provided when the developing cartridge is assembled. It can be engaged with an external member, and the movement of the housing can be restricted.

  Therefore, since the developing cartridge can be assembled in a state where the movement of the housing is restricted, the assembling operation of the developing cartridge can be stabilized and smoothed.

In particular, since the drive mechanism is disposed adjacent to the second side wall opposite to the first side wall, with the pair of first protrusions engaged with external members, the drive mechanism is attached to the housing. Can be assembled securely. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the assembly operation of the drive mechanism.
(2) The restricting portion may have a pair of second projecting portions facing each other with a space in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. In this case, each of the pair of second protrusions connects both ends in the third direction of the pair of first protrusions in the second direction, and connects the pair of first protrusions and the pair of first protrusions. The second protrusion defines an annular shape when viewed from the first direction.

According to such a configuration, since the pair of first protrusions and the pair of second protrusions define an annular shape when viewed from the first direction, it is possible to reliably engage with an external member. And the movement of the housing can be reliably regulated.
(3) The second side wall may have a developer filling port for filling the developer in the housing.

According to such a configuration, since the second side wall has the developer filling port, a state in which the regulating portion disposed adjacent to the first side wall and the external member are engaged, that is, the housing With the movement restricted, the developer can be filled into the housing through the developer filling port. For this reason, the developer can be smoothly filled in the housing.
(4) The casing is disposed adjacent to one side in the second direction with respect to the first storage portion that stores the developer carrying member and the first storage portion, and is configured to store the developer. You may have a storage part.

  In this case, the first side wall includes a first portion that constitutes one end portion in the first direction of the first accommodating portion, and a second portion that constitutes one end portion in the first direction of the second accommodating portion. . The restricting portion is disposed in the second portion.

  According to such a configuration, the first portion of the first side wall constitutes one end portion in the first direction of the first accommodating portion that accommodates the developer carrier, and thus one end of the developer carrier in the first direction. The structure which supports a part is provided. For this reason, it is difficult to dispose the restricting portion in the first portion because the configuration for supporting the one end portion of the developer carrying member in the first direction is an obstacle.

In this respect, since the restricting portion is disposed in the second portion constituting the second accommodating portion, the restricting portion can be easily disposed. In particular, when the restricting portion engages with an external member, the movement of the second housing portion of the housing is reliably restricted. Therefore, when the developer is filled into the housing via the developer filling port, the housing The body can be supported stably.
(5) The developing cartridge may further include a stirring member that is housed in the second housing portion and configured to be rotatable with respect to the housing. Further, a plurality of restricting units may be provided. In this case, at least one of the plurality of restricting portions is disposed between the first housing portion and the rotation center of the stirring member as viewed from the first direction.

However, the developing cartridge is heavier on the side of the first accommodating portion that accommodates the developer carrying member than on the side of the second accommodating portion that accommodates the stirring member. Here, since at least one of the plurality of restricting portions is disposed between the first housing portion and the rotation center of the stirring member when viewed from the first direction, the restricting portion is engaged with an external member. Thus, a relatively heavy portion can be reliably supported in the developing cartridge. As a result, the developing cartridge can be stably supported with good balance.
(6) At least one of the plurality of restricting portions may be disposed opposite to the first accommodating portion with respect to the rotation center of the stirring member when viewed from the first direction.

According to such a structure, the control part is arrange | positioned on both sides with respect to the rotation center of the stirring member as viewed from the first direction. Therefore, the movement of the developing cartridge can be reliably suppressed by engaging each regulating portion with an external member.
(7) The housing may include a first frame including a first side wall and a second side wall, and a second frame welded to the first frame. The first side wall protrudes from the first side wall opposite to the second side wall, and is disposed opposite to the second side wall with respect to the welded portion to be welded to the second frame, and reinforces the first side wall. And a reinforcing rib configured to do so. In this case, the welded portion and the reinforcing rib are disposed so as to surround at least one of the plurality of restricting portions when viewed from the first direction.

  According to such a configuration, since at least one of the plurality of restricting portions is surrounded by the welded portion and the reinforcing rib when viewed from the first direction, the restricting portion is protected by the welded portion and the reinforcing rib.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the restricting portion from being damaged when the developing cartridge is accidentally dropped.
(8) The first side wall may be provided opposite to the second side wall with respect to the first side wall, and may include a reinforcing rib configured to reinforce the first side wall. In this case, the outer end portion in the first direction of the reinforcing rib is located outward in the first direction from the outer end portion in the first direction of each of the pair of first protrusions.

  According to such a configuration, the outer end portions in the first direction of the reinforcing ribs are positioned more outward in the first direction than the outer end portions in the first direction of the pair of first protrusions. Therefore, when the developing cartridge is accidentally dropped, the outer end portion of the reinforcing rib in the first direction collides with the floor surface or the like, and the first direction of each of the pair of first protrusions. It can suppress that the outer edge part of this collides with a floor surface etc. Therefore, it can suppress reliably that a control part is damaged.

  According to the present invention, the assembly operation of the developing cartridge can be facilitated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the developing cartridge of the present invention as viewed from the upper left. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper right. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper left. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 6 is a right side view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 6 taken along the line BB. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the pair of engaging bosses of the housing shown in FIG. 3 are engaged with the first restriction unit. FIG. 9 shows a state where the first and second restricting portions of the housing shown in FIG. 8 are engaged with the second restricting unit. FIG. 10 is a central sectional view of a printer including the developing cartridge shown in FIG.

1. 1 and 5, the developing cartridge 1 includes a housing 2, an agitator 3 as an example of a stirring member, a supply roller 5 as an example of a supply member, and a developer carrier. As an example, a developing roller 4 and a layer thickness regulating blade 6 are provided.

  In the following description, when referring to the direction of the developing cartridge 1, the direction where the developing roller 4 is disposed is the rear of the developing cartridge 1, and the opposite is the front of the developing cartridge 1. That is, the left side of FIG. 5 is the rear side of the developing cartridge 1, and the right side of the drawing is the front side of the developing cartridge 1. 5 is the upper side of the developing cartridge 1, and the lower side of the paper is the lower side of the developing cartridge 1. In addition, when the developing cartridge 1 is viewed from the front, the left and right reference is used. That is, the front side of the sheet of FIG. 5 is the left side of the developing cartridge 1, and the back side of the sheet is the right side of the developing cartridge 1. Specifically, the direction is indicated by an arrow in each figure.

  The left-right direction is an example of the first direction, the left is one of the first directions, and the right is the other of the first directions. The front-rear direction is an example of the second direction, the front is one of the second directions, and the rear is the other of the second directions. The up-down direction is an example of the third direction, the upper side is one of the third directions, and the lower side is the other of the third directions.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 has a substantially box shape extending in the left-right direction, and accommodates toner as an example of a developer therein. The rear end portion of the housing 2 is opened in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the agitator 3 is disposed in a front portion in the housing 2.

  The supply roller 5 is disposed below the agitator 3 in the housing 2. The supply roller 5 is rotatably supported by the housing 2.

  The developing roller 4 is disposed on the rear upper side of the supply roller 5 and is disposed on the rear end portion of the housing 2. The front lower end portion of the developing roller 4 is in pressure contact with the rear upper end portion of the supply roller 5. Further, the upper part and the rear part of the developing roller 4 are exposed from the housing 2. The developing roller 4 is rotatably supported by the housing 2.

The layer thickness regulating blade 6 is disposed on the front upper side of the developing roller 4. The lower end portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 6 is in contact with the front end portion of the developing roller 4.
2. Overall Configuration of Printer Such a developing cartridge 1 is installed in a printer 15 as shown in FIG.

  The printer 15 is an electrophotographic monochrome printer. The printer 15 includes a main body casing 16, a process cartridge 17, a scanner unit 18, a fixing unit 19, and a paper conveyance guide 20.

  The main body casing 16 has a substantially box shape. The main casing 16 has an opening 21, a front cover 22, a paper feed tray 23, and a paper discharge tray 24.

  The opening 21 is configured to penetrate the front wall of the main casing 16 in the front-rear direction and allow the process cartridge 17 to pass therethrough. The front cover 22 has a substantially L-shaped plate shape in side view. The front cover 22 is swingably supported on the front wall of the main casing 16 with its lower end as a fulcrum. The front cover 22 is configured to open or close the opening 21.

  The paper feed tray 23 is disposed at the bottom of the main casing 16. The paper feed tray 23 is configured to store paper S as an example of a recording medium. The paper discharge tray 24 is disposed on the upper surface of the main casing 16. The paper discharge tray 24 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the main casing 16 so that the paper S is placed thereon.

  The process cartridge 17 is configured to be attached to or detached from the main body casing 16 through the opening 21. The process cartridge 17 is disposed substantially at the center in the vertical direction of the main body casing 16 when mounted on the main body casing 16. The process cartridge 17 includes a drum cartridge 25 and the developing cartridge 1 described above.

  The drum cartridge 25 includes a drum frame 32, a photosensitive drum 26, a scorotron charger 27, a transfer roller 28, and a pinch roller 36.

  The drum frame 32 has a bottomed frame shape that is substantially rectangular in plan view. The bottom wall of the drum frame 32 has a passage port 33. The passage port 33 is disposed at the approximate center of the bottom wall of the drum frame 32 in the front-rear direction. The passage port 33 has a shape and a size that allow passage of the paper S, and penetrates the bottom wall of the drum frame 32 in the vertical direction.

  The photosensitive drum 26 is disposed at the rear end of the drum cartridge 25 and has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The photosensitive drum 26 is rotatably supported by the drum frame 32. The scorotron charger 27 is disposed behind the photosensitive drum 26 and spaced from the photosensitive drum 26.

  The transfer roller 28 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 26. The transfer roller 28 is in contact with the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 26. The pinch roller 36 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is disposed adjacent to the rear of the front periphery of the passage port 33 at the rear. The pinch roller 36 is rotatably supported by the drum frame 32.

  The developing cartridge 1 is configured to be attached to or detached from the drum frame 32. Further, in a state where the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drum frame 32, the rear end portion of the developing roller 4 comes into contact with the front end portion of the photosensitive drum 26.

  The scanner unit 18 is disposed above the process cartridge 17. The scanner unit 18 is configured to emit a laser beam based on image data toward the photosensitive drum 26 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG.

  The fixing unit 19 is arranged behind the process cartridge 17 with a space therebetween. The fixing unit 19 includes a heating roller 29 and a pressure roller 30. The pressure roller 30 is disposed rearward and lower with respect to the heating roller 29 and is in pressure contact with the rear lower end of the heating roller 29.

  The paper conveyance guide 20 is configured to guide the paper S from the paper feed tray 23 until it passes between the photosensitive drum 26 and the transfer roller 28 and reaches the fixing unit 19. The paper transport guide 20 is disposed so as to extend in the front-rear direction between the process cartridge 17 and the paper feed tray 23 in the vertical direction. The paper transport guide 20 has a groove 34 and a registration roller 35.

  The groove 34 is disposed at the approximate center in the front-rear direction of the paper transport guide 20. The groove portion 34 has a substantially rectangular shape in side view, and is recessed downward from the upper surface of the paper transport guide 20. The groove portion 34 receives the rear lower end portion of the process cartridge 17 attached to the main body casing 16.

  The registration rollers 35 are arranged in front of the groove 34 with a space therebetween. The registration roller 35 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported by the paper transport guide 20. The upper end portion of the registration roller 35 is in contact with the lower end portion of the pinch roller 36 of the mounted process cartridge 17.

  Further, the upper surface of the paper conveyance guide 20 and the portion of the bottom wall of the drum frame 32 that is in front of the passage port 33 define a conveyance path P. The transport path P is configured such that the paper S from the paper feed tray 23 passes from the front upper side to the rear lower side between the pinch roller 36 and the registration roller 35.

  In the printer 15, when an image forming operation is started under the control of a control unit (not shown), the scorotron charger 27 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 26. Thereafter, the scanner unit 18 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 26. As a result, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 26.

  The agitator 3 agitates the toner in the housing 2 and supplies the agitated toner to the supply roller 5. The supply roller 5 supplies the toner supplied from the agitator 3 to the developing roller 4. At this time, the toner is frictionally charged positively between the developing roller 4 and the supply roller 5 and is carried on the developing roller 4. The layer thickness regulating blade 6 regulates the toner carried on the developing roller 4 to a certain thickness. The developing roller 4 supplies the toner carried with a constant thickness to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 26. As a result, the toner image is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 26.

  The paper S is sent from the paper feed tray 23 to the transport path P by the rotation of various rollers. Then, after passing through the conveyance path P, the sheet S passes through the passage opening 33 one by one at a predetermined timing by the rotation of the registration roller 35 and the pinch roller 36, so that the photosensitive drum 26 and the transfer roller 28 meet. Paper is fed in between. At this time, a conveyance rib 90 described later guides the sheet S that has passed through the passage port 33 so as to be directed between the photosensitive drum 26 and the transfer roller 28.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 26 is transferred to the paper S when passing between the photosensitive drum 26 and the transfer roller 28. Thereafter, the sheet S is heated and pressed as it passes between the heating roller 29 and the pressure roller 30. At this time, the toner image on the paper S is thermally fixed to the paper S. Thereafter, the paper S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 24.
3. Details of Developing Cartridge The casing 2 is made of resin and includes a first frame 40 and a second frame 41 as an example of a third wall, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
(1) First Frame The first frame 40 constitutes a lower part of the housing 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first frame 40 includes a pair of side walls 45 as an example of a pair of first walls, a front wall 49, and a bottom wall 50 as an example of a second wall. It has one.

  The pair of side walls 45 are both left and right end portions of the first frame 40 and face each other with a space therebetween in the left-right direction. Specifically, the pair of side walls 45 includes a right side wall 48 as an example of a first side wall and a left side wall 47 as an example of a second side wall.

  The right side wall 48 is a right end portion of the first frame 40 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the right side wall 48 has a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the front-rear direction as viewed from the side, and includes a developing chamber side wall 51 as an example of the first part and an accommodation as an example of the second part. It has the chamber side wall 52 integrally.

  The developing chamber side wall 51 is a rear portion of the right side wall 48 and has a substantially rectangular shape in side view. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing chamber side wall 51 has a developing shaft insertion hole 53 and a supply shaft insertion hole 54.

  The developing shaft insertion hole 53 has a substantially C-shape in a side view opened rearward, and is recessed forward from a substantially vertical center of a rear end edge of the developing chamber side wall 51. The supply shaft insertion hole 54 is disposed on the front lower side with respect to the development shaft insertion hole 53. The supply shaft insertion hole 54 has a substantially rectangular shape in side view, and penetrates the developing chamber side wall 51 in the left-right direction. Further, the developing shaft insertion hole 53 and the supply shaft insertion hole 54 communicate with each other in a direction connecting the front lower side and the rear upper side.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the storage chamber side wall 52 is a front portion of the right side wall 48 and has a substantially rectangular shape in a side view extending in the front-rear direction. The storage chamber side wall 52 integrally includes a main body portion 59, a welding portion 62, a reinforcing rib 63, and a first restriction portion 60 and a second restriction portion 61 as an example of a restriction portion.

  The main body 59 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view extending in the front-rear direction, and extends forward from the front end of the developing chamber side wall 51. As shown in FIG. 7, the weld portion 62 protrudes rightward from the upper end portion of the main body portion 59, and extends over the entire front-rear direction of the main body portion 59 as shown in FIG. 6.

  The reinforcing rib 63 is disposed on the right surface of the main body 59 and has a substantially U shape in a side view when opened upward. The reinforcing rib 63 is configured to reinforce the right side wall 48, and includes a front portion 63A, a lower portion 63B, and a rear portion 63C.

  The front portion 63A protrudes rightward from the front end portion of the main body portion 59 and extends from the front end portion of the welding portion 62 to the lower end edge of the main body portion 59 along the front end edge of the main body portion 59. Yes. The lower portion 63B protrudes rightward from the front portion of the lower end portion of the main body portion 59, and continues from the lower end portion of the front portion 63A to the substantially center in the front-rear direction along the lower end edge of the main body portion 59. It extends. The rear portion 63C protrudes rightward from the substantially central portion of the main body portion 59 in the front-rear direction, and extends upward from the rear end portion of the lower portion 63B to the approximate center of the main body portion 59 in a side view. ing. The horizontal dimension of the reinforcing rib 63 is smaller than the horizontal dimension of the welded portion 62 as shown in FIG.

  The first restricting portion 60 is exposed when viewed from the right side, and is disposed in the front portion of the right surface of the main body portion 59 so as to be surrounded by the welded portion 62 and the reinforcing rib 63 in a right side view. Specifically, the first restricting portion 60 is disposed with a space downward with respect to the welded portion 62, and is disposed with a space behind with respect to the front portion 63 </ b> A of the reinforcing rib 63. The reinforcing rib 63 is disposed at a front interval with respect to the rear portion 63 </ b> C of the reinforcing rib 63.

  The first restricting portion 60 has a substantially rectangular annular shape extending in the front-rear direction when viewed from the left-right direction, and protrudes from the right surface of the main body portion 59 toward the right. As shown in FIG. 7, the dimension of the first restricting portion 60 in the left-right direction is smaller than the dimension of the reinforcing rib 63 in the left-right direction. In other words, the right end edge of the reinforcing rib 63 is positioned outward in the left-right direction, that is, to the right than the right end edge of the first restricting portion 60.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the first restricting portion 60 includes a pair of first restricting walls 65 as an example of a pair of first projecting portions and a pair of examples of a pair of second projecting portions. The second regulating wall 64 is provided.

  The pair of first restriction walls 65 face each other with a space therebetween in the front-rear direction. The first restriction wall 65 extends linearly in the up-down direction when viewed from the side.

  The pair of second restriction walls 64 face each other with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. The second restriction wall 64 extends linearly in the front-rear direction in a side view. Of the pair of second restriction walls 64, the upper second restriction wall 64 connects the upper ends of the pair of first restriction walls 65 in the front-rear direction, and the lower second restriction wall 64. 64 connects the lower ends of the pair of first restriction walls 65 in the front-rear direction.

  The second restricting portion 61 is exposed when viewed from the right side, and is located on the rear portion of the right surface of the main body portion 59 so as to be positioned opposite to the first restricting portion 60 with respect to the rear portion 63C of the reinforcing rib 63. Has been placed. Further, the second restricting portion 61 is disposed so as to overlap the first restricting portion 60 when viewed from the front-rear direction.

  The second restricting portion 61 has a substantially rectangular annular shape when viewed from the left-right direction, and protrudes rightward from the right surface of the main body portion 59. That is, the first restricting portion 60 and the second restricting portion 61 are disposed adjacent to the right side opposite to the left side wall 47 with respect to the right side wall 48. The dimension of the second restricting portion 61 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the dimension of the first restricting portion 60 in the left-right direction.

  The second restricting portion 61 includes a pair of first restricting walls 67 as an example of a pair of first projecting portions, and a pair of second restricting walls 66 as an example of a pair of second projecting portions. have.

  The pair of first restriction walls 67 face each other with a space therebetween in the front-rear direction. The first restriction wall 67 extends linearly in the vertical direction when viewed from the side. The vertical dimension of the first restriction wall 67 of the second restriction part 61 is substantially the same as the vertical dimension of the first restriction wall 65 of the first restriction part 60.

  The pair of second restriction walls 66 face each other with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. The second restriction wall 66 extends linearly in the front-rear direction in a side view. The dimension in the front-rear direction of the second restriction wall 66 of the second restriction part 61 is smaller than the dimension in the front-rear direction of the second restriction wall 64 of the first restriction part 60. Of the pair of second restriction walls 66, the upper second restriction wall 66 connects the upper ends of the pair of second restriction walls 66 in the front-rear direction, and the lower second restriction wall 66 66 connects the lower ends of the pair of first restriction walls 67 in the front-rear direction.

  Further, an imaginary straight line L passing through the approximate center in the vertical direction of the pair of first restriction walls 65 and the approximate center in the vertical direction of the pair of first restriction walls 67 corresponds to the developing roller shaft 9 as viewed from the left-right direction. Overlap.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the left side wall 47 is the left end portion of the first frame 40 and faces the right side wall 48 with a space leftward. The left side wall 47 has a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and has a developing chamber side wall 70 and a storage chamber side wall 71 integrally.

  The developing chamber side wall 70 is a rear portion of the left side wall 47 and has a substantially rectangular shape in side view. Further, the developing chamber side wall 70 has a developing shaft insertion hole 72 and a supply shaft insertion hole 73.

  The development shaft insertion hole 72 is disposed so as to coincide with the development shaft insertion hole 53 of the right side wall 48 when viewed from the left-right direction. The developing shaft insertion hole 72 has a substantially C-shape in a side view opened rearward, and is recessed forward from a substantially vertical center of a rear end edge of the developing chamber side wall 70. The supply shaft insertion hole 73 is disposed so as to coincide with the supply shaft insertion hole 54 of the right side wall 48 when viewed from the left-right direction. The supply shaft insertion hole 73 has a substantially rectangular shape in side view, and penetrates the developing chamber side wall 70 in the left-right direction.

  The storage chamber side wall 71 is a front portion of the left side wall 47 and continuously extends forward from the front end portion of the development chamber side wall 70. The storage chamber side wall 71 has a substantially rectangular shape in side view extending in the front-rear direction. The storage chamber side wall 71 has a toner filling port 74 as an example of a developer filling port.

  The toner filling port 74 is disposed in a front portion of the storage chamber side wall 71. The toner filling port 74 has a substantially circular shape when viewed from the side, and penetrates the storage chamber side wall 71 in the left-right direction. Thus, the toner filling port 74 communicates with a toner storage chamber 7 described later in the left-right direction. Note that a cap (not shown) is always detachably attached to the toner filling port 74, and the toner filling port 74 is closed by a cap (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the front wall 49 is a front end portion of the first frame 40, and extends between the front end portions of the left side wall 47 and the right side wall 48. The front wall 49 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view extending in the left-right direction. Further, the front wall 49 has a gripping portion 56 as shown in FIG. The gripping portion 56 is disposed at the substantially center in the left-right direction on the front surface of the front wall 49. As shown in FIG. 8, the grip portion 56 has a substantially U shape when viewed from the front and projects forward from the front surface of the front wall 49.

  The bottom wall 50 is a lower end portion of the first frame 40 and is provided between the lower end portions of the left side wall 47 and the right side wall 48. That is, the bottom wall 50 connects the pair of side walls 45 in the left-right direction. Further, the front end portion of the bottom wall 50 is connected to the lower end portion of the front wall 49.

  Specifically, the bottom wall 50 extends in the front-rear direction, and integrally includes a curved portion 83, an arc portion 84, and a lip portion 85.

  The curved portion 83 is a front portion of the bottom wall 50. The bending portion 83 is bent so that the substantially center in the front-rear direction is directed downward, and includes a front bending portion 83A and a rear bending portion 83B as an example of a second portion. The front bending portion 83 </ b> A is a front portion of the bending portion 83, and is curved backward as it goes downward continuously from the lower end portion of the front wall 49. The rear bending portion 83B is a rear portion of the bending portion 83 and extends from the rear end portion of the front bending portion 83A in a substantially straight line shape in a side view so as to go upward as it goes rearward.

  The arc portion 84 is disposed adjacent to the rear of the bending portion 83. The arc portion 84 has a substantially semicircular arc shape in a side view opened upward. The inner peripheral surface of the arc portion 84 is along the peripheral surface of the supply roller 5.

  Specifically, the arc portion 84 includes a front arc portion 84A and a rear arc portion 84B as an example of the first portion. The front arc portion 84A is a front portion of the arc portion 84, continuously extends from the rear end portion of the rear bending portion 83B, extends downward, and then curves backward as it goes downward. The rear arc part 84B is a rear part of the arc part 84, is continuous from the lower end part of the front arc part 84A, and curves upward as it goes rearward.

  The lower surface of the rear curved portion 83B and the lower surface of the front arc portion 84A define a recess 80. The concave portion 80 has a substantially wedge shape in a side view, and is recessed from the lower surface of the bottom wall 50 toward the inside of the housing 2 toward the rear upper side.

  The lip portion 85 is disposed adjacent to the rear of the arc portion 84 and extends continuously rearward from the rear end portion of the rear arc portion 84B.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom wall 50 includes a conveyance rib 90 as an example of a conveyance guide portion, a pair of engagement bosses 91 as an example of a pair of engagement portions, and a connection rib 92. Have.

  The conveyance rib 90 is arrange | positioned at the lower surface of the bottom wall 50, as shown in FIG. The transport rib 90 has a plate shape and protrudes downward from the rear portion of the lower surface of the bottom wall 50, that is, toward the outside of the housing 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the transport rib 90 extends along the front-rear direction from the front arc portion 84 </ b> A to the rear end portion of the lip portion 85 in the bottom view. A plurality of, specifically 12, transport ribs 90 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the left-right direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end edge of the transport rib 90 has a curved edge 90A, a first inclined edge 90B, and a second inclined edge 90C. The curved edge 90 </ b> A is a front portion at the lower end edge of the transport rib 90 and has a substantially C shape in a side view, and is recessed rearward and upward from the lower end edge of the transport rib 90. The curved edge 90 </ b> A is along the outer peripheral surface of the pinch roller 36.

  The first inclined edge 90B extends continuously from the rear end portion of the curved edge 90A so as to incline downward toward the rear. The second inclined edge 90C is continuous from the rear end portion of the first inclined edge 90B and extends so as to incline upward toward the rear.

  As shown in FIG. 10, such a transport rib 90 overlaps with the passage opening 33 of the drum frame 32 when viewed from below when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drum frame 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pair of engaging bosses 91 are arranged one by one on both the left and right sides of the plurality of transport ribs 90 so as to sandwich the plurality of transport ribs 90 in the left-right direction. They are arranged so as to coincide with each other when viewed from the direction. Each of the pair of engaging bosses 91 is disposed at both left and right end portions in the recess 80 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the rear curved portion 83B. That is, the engagement boss 91 protrudes from the rear curved portion 83B toward the outside of the housing 2 along the direction in which the transport rib 90 protrudes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the pair of engaging bosses 91 is disposed so that the entirety of the pair of engaging bosses 91 overlaps with the conveying rib 90 when viewed from the left-right direction. It is located above the lower end edge of the transport rib 90. That is, the lower end edge of the transport rib 90 is located opposite to the lower surface of the rear curved portion 83 </ b> B with respect to the lower end portion of the engagement boss 91.

  Of the pair of engagement bosses 91, the left engagement boss 91 </ b> L is spaced leftward with respect to the leftmost conveyance rib 90 among the plurality of conveyance ribs 90, as shown in FIG. 4. It is arranged with a gap. As shown in FIG. 5, the left engagement boss 91L has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and protrudes downward from the left end portion of the lower surface of the rear curved portion 83B.

  Further, the inner peripheral surface of the left engagement boss 91 </ b> L is defined as a first recess 93. That is, the first recess 93 is recessed upward from the lower end surface of the left engaging boss 91 </ b> L toward the inside of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the first recess 93 has a circular shape when viewed from the vertical direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first recess 93 has a shallow portion 93A and a deep portion 93B because the rear curved portion 83B is inclined.

  The shallow portion 93A is a front portion of the first recess portion 93, and the vertical dimension of the shallow portion 93A is smaller than the inner diameter of the first recess portion 93. The deep portion 93 </ b> B is a rear portion of the first recess portion 93, and the vertical dimension of the deep portion 93 </ b> B is larger than the inner diameter of the first recess portion 93.

  Of the pair of engagement bosses 91, the right engagement boss 91 </ b> R is spaced rightward with respect to the most right conveyance rib 90 among the plurality of conveyance ribs 90, as shown in FIG. 4. It is arranged with a gap. The right engaging boss 91R has a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and protrudes downward from the right end portion of the lower surface of the rear curved portion 83B.

  Further, the inner peripheral surface of the right engagement boss 91 </ b> R is defined as a second recess 94. That is, the second recess 94 is recessed upward from the lower end surface of the right engagement boss 91 </ b> R toward the inside of the housing 2. The second recess 94 has an elliptical shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the up-down direction. The short diameter of the second recess 94 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the first recess 93, and the long diameter of the second recess 94 is larger than the inner diameter of the first recess 93. Similarly to the first depression 93, the second depression 94 has a deep part whose vertical dimension is larger than the minor axis and a shallow part whose vertical dimension is smaller than the minor axis.

The connection rib 92 is disposed between the engagement boss 91 and the transport rib 90 adjacent to the engagement boss 91, and two connection ribs 92 are provided corresponding to each of the pair of engagement bosses 91. . The connecting rib 92 has a plate shape extending in the left-right direction, and extends linearly when viewed from the bottom. The connecting rib 92 connects the inner end of the engaging boss 91 in the left-right direction and the adjacent conveying rib 90. The upper end portion of the connection rib 92 is connected to the lower surface of the rear curved portion 83B.
(2) Second Frame As shown in FIG. 3, the second frame 41 is an upper part of the housing 2 and covers the first frame 40 from above. The second frame 41 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view extending in the left-right direction. The second frame 41 integrally includes a front upper wall 86 and a rear upper wall 87.

  The front upper wall 86 is a front portion of the second frame 41 and includes a bulging portion 88 and a flange portion 89. As shown in FIG. 5, the bulging portion 88 has a substantially box shape that opens downward, and extends in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. 3.

  The collar portion 89 is disposed on both the left and right sides and the front side of the bulging portion 88 so as to surround the bulging portion 88 in plan view. That is, the collar portion 89 has a substantially U-shape in plan view that is opened rearward. The flange portion 89 is connected to the lower end portion of the bulging portion 88.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rear upper wall 87 is a rear portion of the second frame 41 and includes an inclined wall 95 and a partition wall 96. As shown in FIG. 3, the inclined wall 95 has a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the left-right direction in plan view, and extends backward from the lower end portion of the rear wall of the bulging portion 88. After that, it is bent and extends so as to incline downward as it goes rearward.

The partition wall 96 is disposed adjacent to the rear of the inclined wall 95. The partition wall 96 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in rear view extending in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the substantially vertical center of the front surface of the partition wall 96 is connected to the rear end of the inclined wall 95.
(3) Housing As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the housing 2 is a combination of the first frame 40 and the second frame 41, and the upper end portion of the storage chamber side wall 71 of the left side wall 47. The welded portion 62 of the storage chamber side wall 52 of the right side wall 48 and the upper end portion of the front wall 49 and the flange portion 89 of the front upper wall 86 are welded.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the second frame 41 is disposed at a distance above the bottom wall 50, and connects the upper ends of the pair of side walls 45 in the left-right direction. . Further, the front arc portion 84A of the bottom wall 50 extends toward the second frame 41 as it goes forward from the front end portion of the rear arc portion 84B, and the rear curved portion 83B continues from the front end portion of the front arc portion 84A. Thus, it extends away from the second frame 41 as it goes forward.

  Further, in the housing 2, the lower end portion of the partition wall 96 and the connection portion 98 between the curved portion 83 and the arc portion 84 are arranged with a space in the direction connecting the rear upper side and the front lower side. In the side sectional view of the housing 2, the space behind the imaginary line segment L <b> 1 connecting the lower end portion of the partition wall 96 and the upper end portion of the connection portion 98 is the developing chamber 8 as an example of the first storage portion. A space in front of the imaginary line segment L1 is defined as a toner storage chamber 7 as an example of a second storage section. The toner storage chamber 7 stores toner.

Further, the lower end portion of the partition wall 96, the upper end portion of the connection portion 98, and the left and right inner surfaces of the left side wall 47 and the right side wall 48 define a communication port 99. That is, the housing 2 has a toner storage chamber 7 and a developing chamber 8 that are adjacently disposed in the front-rear direction, and a communication port 99 that communicates the toner storage chamber 7 and the developing chamber 8 in the front-rear direction.
(4) Developing chamber More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the developing chamber 8 includes a developing chamber side wall 51 of the right side wall 48, a developing chamber side wall 70 of the left side wall 47, and arc portions of the bottom wall 50. 84 and a lip 85.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 1 includes a developing roller 4, a supply roller 5, and a layer thickness regulating blade 6 in the developing chamber 8.

  The developing roller 4 is disposed at the rear end portion of the developing chamber 8 and is disposed above the lip portion 85 with a gap. The developing roller 4 includes a developing roller shaft 9 and a rubber roller 10.

  The developing roller shaft 9 is made of metal and has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The rubber roller 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and covers the developing roller shaft 9 so that the left and right ends of the developing roller shaft 9 are exposed.

  The developing roller 4 includes a housing having a right end portion of the developing roller shaft 9 rotatably supported by the developing chamber side wall 51 and a left end portion of the developing roller shaft 9 rotatably supported by the developing chamber side wall 70. 2 is supported. As a result, the developing roller 4 can rotate with respect to the housing 2 around the central axis A1 of the developing roller shaft 9 as a rotation center. The right end portion of the developing roller shaft 9 protrudes to the right from the developing chamber side wall 51 through the developing shaft insertion hole 53, and the left end portion of the developing roller shaft 9 passes through the developing shaft insertion hole 72. , And protrudes to the left of the developing chamber side wall 70.

  The supply roller 5 is disposed forward and downward with respect to the developing roller 4 in the developing chamber 8 and is accommodated in the arc portion 84. The supply roller 5 includes a supply roller shaft 11 and a sponge roller 12.

  The supply roller shaft 11 is made of metal and has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The sponge roller 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape and covers the supply roller shaft 11 so as to expose both left and right ends of the supply roller shaft 11.

  The supply roller 5 includes a housing having a right end portion of the supply roller shaft 11 rotatably supported on the developing chamber side wall 51 and a left end portion of the supply roller shaft 11 rotatably supported on the developing chamber side wall 70. 2 is supported. As a result, the supply roller 5 can rotate with respect to the housing 2 around the center axis A2 of the supply roller shaft 11 as a rotation center. The right end portion of the supply roller shaft 11 protrudes to the right from the developing chamber side wall 51 through the supply shaft insertion hole 54, and the left end portion of the supply roller shaft 11 passes through the supply shaft insertion hole 73. , And protrudes to the left of the developing chamber side wall 70.

The layer thickness regulating blade 6 is disposed in front of the developing roller 4 in the developing chamber 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the layer thickness regulating blade 6 has a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the back. As shown in FIG. 5, the layer thickness regulating blade 6 is supported on the rear surface of the partition wall 96 so that the lower end portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 6 is in contact with the front end portion of the peripheral surface of the rubber roller 10. .
(5) Toner storage chamber More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the toner storage chamber 7 includes a storage chamber side wall 52 of the right side wall 48, a storage chamber side wall 71 of the left side wall 47, and a bottom wall. 50 curved portions 83, the front wall 49, and the second frame 41 are defined.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 1 includes an agitator 3 in the toner storage chamber 7. The agitator 3 includes an agitator shaft 13 and a stirring blade 14.

  The agitator shaft 13 is made of resin, and includes a shaft body 100 and a blade support portion 101. The shaft body 100 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The blade support portion 101 has a U shape, and an end portion on the open side is connected to the shaft main body 100. Accordingly, the blade support portion 101 extends from the shaft main body 100 toward the radially outer side of the shaft main body 100.

  The stirring blade 14 is made of a flexible film material. The stirring blade 14 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction. One end portion of the stirring blade 14 is fixed to the radially outer portion of the blade support portion 101. Thereby, the stirring blade 14 is supported by the agitator shaft 13.

The agitator 3 is supported by the casing 2 by the right end portion of the shaft body 100 being rotatably supported by the storage chamber side wall 52 and the left end portion of the shaft body 100 being rotatably supported by the storage chamber side wall 71. Has been. As a result, the agitator 3 can rotate with respect to the housing 2 around the center axis A3 of the shaft body 100 as a rotation center. Further, the left end portion of the shaft main body 100 protrudes leftward from the accommodation chamber side wall 71 of the left side wall 47.
(6) Relative arrangement of the first restricting portion, the second restricting portion, and the engaging boss with respect to the central axis of the agitator As shown in FIG. 5, the first restricting portion 60 has a central axis A3 of the agitator 3 when viewed from the left-right direction. On the other hand, it is arranged forward, that is, opposite to the developing chamber 8, and the second restricting portion 61 is arranged between the central axis A <b> 3 of the agitator 3 and the front-rear direction of the developing chamber 8 when viewed from the left-right direction.

Further, each of the pair of engaging bosses 91 is disposed in front of the toner storage chamber 7 with respect to the central axis A2 of the supply roller 5, and in the front-rear direction, the developing chamber 8 and the central axis A3 of the agitator 3 It is arranged between. Each of the pair of engaging bosses 91 is disposed closer to the central axis A1 of the developing roller 4 than the central axis A3 of the agitator 3 in the front-rear direction. That is, the distance between the central axis A1 of the developing roller 4 and the axial center of the engaging boss 91 is greater than the distance between the central axis A3 of the agitator 3 and the axial center of the engaging boss 91. Is also slightly smaller.
(7) Drive Unit and Electrode Unit Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developing cartridge 1 includes a drive unit 105 as an example of a drive mechanism and a power supply unit 120.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drive unit 105 is configured to transmit driving force to the developing roller 4, the supply roller 5, and the agitator 3. The drive unit 105 is disposed adjacent to the left side wall 47 on the left side, that is, opposite to the right side wall 48. The drive unit 105 has a gear train 106 and a gear cover 107. The gear train 106 includes a development coupling 109, a development gear 108, a supply gear (not shown), and an agitator gear (not shown).

  The development coupling 109 is disposed on the left side of the development chamber side wall 70 of the left side wall 47. The developing coupling 109 is supported on the developing chamber side wall 70 so as to be rotatable about a rotating shaft (not shown). The development coupling 109 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. Although not shown, the outer peripheral surface of the right portion of the development coupling 109 has gear teeth over the entire peripheral surface.

  Further, the development coupling 109 has a coupling recess 110. The coupling recess 110 is disposed on the left end surface of the development coupling 109. The coupling recess 110 has a substantially circular shape in side view, and is recessed from the left end surface of the development coupling 109 toward the right. The coupling recess 110 is configured such that a main body coupling (not shown) is inserted so as not to be relatively rotatable.

  The developing gear 108 is attached to the left end portion of the developing roller shaft 9 so as not to be relatively rotatable. The development gear 108 meshes with the gear teeth of the development coupling 109. A supply gear (not shown) is attached to the left end portion of the supply roller shaft 11 so as not to be relatively rotatable. A supply gear (not shown) meshes with the gear teeth of the development coupling 109. An agitator gear (not shown) is attached to the left end portion of the shaft main body 100 of the agitator 3 so as not to be relatively rotatable. An agitator gear (not shown) is connected to the development coupling 109 via an idle gear (not shown).

  The gear cover 107 has a substantially box shape that opens to the right, and has a size that allows the gear train 106 to be covered together. The left wall of the gear cover 107 has an exposure hole 111. The exposure hole 111 has a substantially circular shape in side view, and penetrates the left wall of the gear cover 107 in the left-right direction.

  The gear cover 107 is screwed to the left surface of the left side wall 47 so as to expose the coupling recess 110 of the developing coupling 109 through the exposure hole 111 and cover the gear train 106 collectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply unit 120 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the right side wall 48. The power supply unit 120 includes a supply electrode 122, an insulating member 125, and a development electrode 121.

  The supply electrode 122 is made of a conductive resin material and is supported on the right surface of the developing chamber side wall 51 of the right side wall 48. Although not shown, the supply electrode 122 is electrically connected to the right end portion of the supply roller shaft 11. Further, the supply electrode 122 includes a supply side contact portion 126. The supply side contact portion 126 is configured to be electrically connected to a main body side supply electrode (not shown) included in the main body casing 16. The supply side contact portion 126 has a substantially rectangular tube shape extending in the left-right direction and closed at the right end.

  The insulating member 125 is made of an insulating resin material, and is fixed to the developing chamber side wall 51 on the right side of the supply electrode 122. The insulating member 125 includes an insulating part 123. The insulating portion 123 is disposed adjacent to the rear side of the supply side contact portion 126. The insulating portion 123 has a substantially rectangular tube shape that extends in the left-right direction and is substantially L-shaped in side view with the right end closed.

  The developing electrode 121 is made of a conductive resin material, and is supported by the insulating member 125 on the right side of the insulating member 125. The developing electrode 121 includes a developing side contact portion 127 and a developing shaft collar portion 128.

  The development side contact portion 127 is configured to be electrically connected to a main body side development electrode (not shown) included in the main body casing 16, and is disposed below the insulating portion 123. The development side contact portion 127 has a substantially rectangular tube shape extending in the left-right direction and closed at the right end.

The developing shaft collar portion 128 is disposed behind the developing side contact portion 127. The developing shaft collar portion 128 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and rotatably receives the right end portion of the developing roller shaft 9.
4). Next, the assembly operation of the developing cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 8 and 9, for convenience, the supply roller 5, the developing roller 4, the power supply unit 120, and the drive unit 105 are assembled to the housing 2. However, in the assembly process of the developing cartridge 1, the supply roller 5 The developing roller 4, the power supply unit 120, and the drive unit 105 are sequentially assembled to the housing 2 as will be described later.

  The method for assembling the developing cartridge 1 is not particularly limited, but the developing cartridge 1 is assembled by an automatic assembly line 190, for example. When the developing cartridge 1 is assembled by the automatic assembly line 190, an assembly operation described later is performed by an assembly robot.

  The automatic assembly line 190 includes a first restriction unit 201, a second restriction unit 203 as an example of an external member, and an arm 200.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first restriction unit 201 includes a first support plate 205 and a pair of first column portions 202. The first support plate 205 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view extending in the left-right direction. The pair of first column portions 202 correspond to the pair of engaging bosses 91 and are disposed on the upper surface of the first support plate 205. Each of the pair of first column portions 202 has a substantially prismatic shape extending in the up-down direction, and extends upward from an end portion in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the first support plate 205. In addition, the first pillar 202 has a projection (not shown). The projection (not shown) has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction, and protrudes upward from the approximate center in plan view of the upper surface of the first column portion 202. The outer diameter of the projection (not shown) is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the first recess 93.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the second restriction unit 203 includes a second support plate 206 and a pair of second column portions 204. The second support plate 206 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of second column parts 204 correspond to the first restriction part 60 and the second restriction part 61, respectively, and are arranged on the upper surface of the second support plate 206. Each of the pair of second column portions 204 has a substantially prismatic shape extending in the vertical direction, and extends upward from the front-rear direction end portion on the upper surface of the second support plate 206. Moreover, the 2nd pillar part 204 has a protrusion although not shown in figure. The not-shown protrusion has a substantially prismatic shape extending in the vertical direction, and protrudes upward from the approximate center of the upper surface of the second pillar portion 204 in plan view. The outer dimension of the projection (not shown) is substantially the same as the inner dimension of the second restricting portion 61.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the arm 200 has a substantially J shape in a side view and extends in the left-right direction. Further, the arm 200 advances from the front to the rear with respect to the developing cartridge 1 so as to sandwich the lower end portion of the grip portion 56 of the housing 2 and the upper end portion of the bulging portion 88 of the housing 2. It is configured. Thus, the arm 200 can hold the developing cartridge 1.

  To assemble the developing cartridge 1, first, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8, the operator places the housing 2 on the left side of the first recess 93 of the engaging boss 91 </ b> L on the left side. The protrusion of the first pillar 202 is received, and the second recess 94 of the right engaging boss 91R is disposed above the first restricting unit 201 so as to receive the protrusion of the right first pillar 202. To do. As a result, the horizontal relative movement of the housing 2 with respect to the first restriction unit 201 is restricted.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the supply roller 5 has the housing 2 so that the left and right ends of the supply roller shaft 11 are inserted into the corresponding supply shaft insertion hole 54 and the supply shaft insertion hole 73. Assembled into. Thereafter, the developing roller 4 is assembled to the housing 2 such that both end portions in the left-right direction of the developing roller shaft 9 are inserted into the corresponding developing shaft insertion hole 53 and the developing shaft insertion hole 72.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the supply electrode 122, the insulating member 125, and the developing electrode 121 are sequentially assembled from the right side with respect to the developing chamber side wall 51 of the right side wall 48.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the arm 200 approaches the housing 2 from the front and engages so as to sandwich the lower end portion of the grip portion 56 and the upper end portion of the bulging portion 88. As a result, the housing 2 is held by the arm 200. Then, the arm 200 lifts the housing 2 upward and releases the engagement between the pair of engagement bosses 91 and the pair of first pillar portions 202.

  Next, the arm 200 rotates approximately 90 ° in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front while holding the casing 2, and arranges the casing 2 so that the longitudinal direction of the casing 2 is in the vertical direction. Thereby, the right side wall 48 of the housing | casing 2 is located below, and the left side wall 47 of the housing | casing 2 is located above.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the housing 2 is configured such that the first restricting portion 60 receives the protrusion of the front second pillar portion 204 and the second restricting portion 61 is the rear second pillar portion 204. It arrange | positions above the 2nd control unit 203 so that this protrusion may be received. As a result, the horizontal relative movement of the housing 2 with respect to the second restriction unit 203 is restricted.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner filling device (not shown) fills the toner storage chamber 7 from the toner filling port 74 in the vertical direction, and then closes the toner filling port 74 with a cap (not shown).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the gear train 106 and the gear cover 107 are sequentially assembled to the left side wall 47 from above.

Thus, the assembly operation of the developing cartridge 1 is completed.
5. Effect (1) As shown in FIG. 6, the first restricting portion 60 and the second restricting portion 61 are arranged adjacent to the right side wall 48 on the right side, that is, opposite to the left side wall 47. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 1 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 9, each of the pair of first restriction walls 65 and the pair of first restriction walls 67 is engaged with the second restriction unit 203. The movement of the housing 2 can be restricted.

  As a result, the developing cartridge 1 can be assembled while the movement of the housing 2 is restricted, so that the assembling work of the developing cartridge 1 can be stabilized and smoothed.

In particular, since the drive unit 105 is disposed adjacent to the left side wall 47 on the left side, the drive unit 105 is in a state where the first restriction unit 60 and the second restriction unit 61 are engaged with the second restriction unit 203. Can be securely assembled to the housing 2. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the assembly operation of the drive unit 105.
(2) As shown in FIG. 6, each of the 1st control part 60 and the 2nd control part 61 has defined the cyclic | annular form seeing from the left-right direction. Therefore, each of the 1st control part 60 and the 2nd control part 61 can be reliably engaged with a pair of 2nd pillar part 204 of the 2nd control unit 203, and the movement of the housing | casing 2 is controlled reliably. can do.
(3) The left side wall 47 has a toner filling port 74 as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the housing 2 is connected via the toner filling port 74 in a state where the first restricting portion 60 and the second restricting portion 61 are engaged with the pair of second pillar portions 204. The inside can be filled with toner. As a result, the toner filling operation of the housing 2 can be facilitated.
(4) As shown in FIG. 6, the first restricting portion 60 and the second restricting portion 61 are disposed on the storage chamber side wall 52 that constitutes the toner storage chamber 7. Therefore, the 1st control part 60 and the 2nd control part 61 can be arrange | positioned easily. In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, when the first restricting portion 60 and the second restricting portion 61 are engaged with the pair of second pillar portions 204, the movement of the toner containing chamber 7 of the housing 2 is reliably restricted. Therefore, the housing 2 can be stably supported when the toner is filled into the housing 2 through the toner filling port 74.
(5) As shown in FIG. 5, the second restriction portion 61 is disposed between the developing chamber 8 and the central axis A <b> 3 of the agitator 3 when viewed from the left-right direction. Therefore, by engaging the second restricting portion 61 with the second column portion 204, a relatively heavy portion in the developing cartridge 1 can be reliably supported. As a result, the developing cartridge 1 can be stably supported with good balance.
(6) As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the left-right direction, the first restricting portion 60 is disposed in front of the central axis A <b> 3 of the agitator 3, and second restricted in the rear with respect to the central axis A <b> 3 of the agitator 3. The part 61 is arranged. Therefore, the movement of the developing cartridge 1 can be reliably suppressed by engaging the first restricting portion 60 and the second restricting portion 61 with the pair of second column portions 204.
(7) As shown in FIG. 6, the first restricting portion 60 is surrounded by the welded portion 62 and the reinforcing rib 63 when viewed from the left-right direction. Therefore, the first restricting portion 60 is protected by the welded portion 62 and the reinforcing rib 63. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first restricting portion 60 from being damaged when the developing cartridge 1 is accidentally dropped.
(8) The right end portion of the reinforcing rib 63 is located to the right of the right end portion of the first restriction wall 65 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 1 is accidentally dropped, the right end portion of the reinforcing rib 63 can collide with the floor surface or the like, and the right end portion of the first restriction wall 65 can be prevented from colliding with the floor surface or the like. . As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the first restricting portion 60 from being damaged.
6). Modification (1) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, in the assembly process of the developing cartridge 1, the movement of the housing 2 is restricted by the first restriction part 60 and the second restriction part 61. The present invention is not limited to this, and the movement of the housing 2 can be regulated by the first regulating unit 60 and the second regulating unit 61 even when the used developing cartridge 1 is refilled with toner.

In this case, the housing 2 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 is along the vertical direction, and the first restriction portion 60 and the second restriction portion 61 are engaged with the pair of second column portions 204. Thereafter, the drive unit 105 is removed from the left side wall 47. Thereafter, a cap (not shown) is removed from the toner filling port 74, and the toner storage chamber 7 is filled with toner through the toner filling port 74.
(2) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the developing cartridge 1 is assembled in the automatic assembly line 190, but the present invention is not limited to this. 2 It is also possible to assemble manually using the restriction unit 203.
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the developing cartridge 1 is configured to be attached to or detached from the drum frame 32 of the drum cartridge 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the developing cartridge 1 can be configured integrally with the drum cartridge 25, for example. In this case, the process cartridge 17 that integrally includes the developing cartridge 1 and the drum cartridge 25 corresponds to an example of the developing cartridge.
(4) Instead of the developing roller 4 described above, for example, a brush-like roller or a magnetic roller may be applied.
(5) Further, the first restricting portion 60 described above may be formed as a separate body from the right side wall 48 of the housing 2 and attached to the accommodation chamber side wall 52 of the right side wall 48. In the first restricting portion 60, the pair of second restricting walls 64 may not be provided.
(6) Moreover, the above-described second restricting portion 61 may be formed as a separate body from the right side wall 48 of the housing 2 and attached to the accommodation chamber side wall 52 of the right side wall 48. In the second restricting portion 61, the pair of second restricting walls 66 may not be provided.

  Also by these, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment can be produced.

  These embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Developing cartridge 2 Housing | casing 3 Agitator 4 Developing roller 7 Toner storage chamber 8 Developing chamber 40 1st frame 41 2nd frame 47 Left side wall 48 Right side wall 60 1st control part 61 2nd control part 62 Hook part 63 Reinforcement rib 64 1 Pair of second regulating walls 65 One pair of first regulating walls 66 One pair of second regulating walls 67 One pair of first regulating walls 74 Toner filling port 203 Second regulating unit S Paper A1 Developing roller central axis A2 Supply roller Center axis of A3 Center axis of agitator

Claims (5)

A housing configured to contain developer;
A developer carrier that is rotatable and configured to carry a developer; and
A driving mechanism configured to transmit a driving force to the developer carrier;
A restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the housing when engaged with an external member;
A stirring member configured to be rotatable with respect to the housing ,
The housing is
A first sidewall;
A second side wall facing the first side wall at a distance in a first direction in which a rotation axis of the developer carrier extends;
The drive mechanism is disposed adjacent to the second side wall opposite to the first side wall;
The regulation part is
Disposed adjacent to the first side wall opposite to the second side wall;
A pair of first protrusions facing each other at a distance in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction ;
The housing is
A first accommodating portion for accommodating the developer carrying member;
A second containing portion disposed adjacent to one of the second directions with respect to the first containing portion and configured to contain a developer;
The stirring member is housed in the second housing portion,
The first sidewall is
A first portion constituting one end of the first housing portion in the first direction;
A second portion constituting one end portion in the first direction of the second housing portion,
The restricting portion is disposed in the second portion and includes a plurality of the restricting portions,
At least one of the plurality of restriction portions is disposed between the first housing portion and the rotation center of the stirring member as viewed from the first direction,
At least one of the plurality of restricting portions is disposed opposite to the first accommodating portion with respect to the rotation center of the stirring member when viewed from the first direction . The restricting portion includes a pair of second projecting portions facing each other with a space therebetween in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction,
Each of the pair of second protrusions connects both ends of the third direction of the pair of first protrusions in the second direction,
2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first protrusions and the pair of second protrusions define an annular shape when viewed from the first direction.   The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second side wall has a developer filling port for filling the developer in the housing. The housing is
A first frame comprising the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
A second frame welded to the first frame,
The first sidewall is
A welding part protruding from the first side wall opposite to the second side wall and welded to the second frame;
A reinforcing rib disposed opposite the second side wall with respect to the first side wall and configured to reinforce the first side wall;
The welded portion and the reinforcing rib, when viewed from the first direction, characterized in that it is arranged to surround at least one of the plurality of the regulating unit, any one of the preceding claims developing cartridge according to. The first side wall includes a reinforcing rib disposed opposite the second side wall with respect to the first side wall and configured to reinforce the first side wall;
Outer end portions in the first direction of the reinforcing ribs are located outward in the first direction from outer end portions in the first direction of the pair of first protrusions. wherein the developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1-4.

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